UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Legal Practice Course
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
1.
Awarding Institution / Body
2.
Teaching Institution and Location of
Delivery
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University Department/Centre
4.
External Accreditation
UCLAN
UCLAN
Lancashire Law School
Bar Standards Board
Solicitors Regulation Authority
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Title of Final Award
6.
Modes of Attendance offered
7.
UCAS Code
8.
Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
9.
Other external influences
10.
Date of production/revision of this form
11.
Aims of the Programme
Post Graduate Diploma Legal Practice
Full and part time
N/A
Law
Solicitor’s Regulation Authority
February 2015
The aims of the programme are to:
 prepare students for work-based learning
 provide a general foundation for practice.
 To develop in students a systematic and advanced understanding of specialist areas arising out of legal practice.
 To facilitate a critical awareness of current issues in law and legal practice informed by specialist research and practice
Accordingly at the end of the course, successful students should be able, under appropriate supervision, to,:
 Research and apply knowledge of the law and legal practice accurately and effectively
 Identify the client's objectives and different means of achieving those objectives and be aware of the financial, commercial and personal priorities and constraints to be taken into account
 Evaluate the costs, benefits and risks involved in transactions or courses of action
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 Perform the tasks required to advance transactions or matters
 Anticipate where the rules of professional conduct may impact and be able to apply them in context
 Demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in the areas of: o Professional Conduct and Regulation o the core practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice,
Litigation and the areas of wills and administration of estates and taxation o the course skills of Practical Legal Research, Writing, Drafting, Interviewing and
Advising, and Advocacy. Students should also be able to transfer skills learnt in one context to another;
 Demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in the three areas covered by their choice of electives, and
 Reflect on their learning and identify their learning needs.
 Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge and understanding of specialist areas to improve legal practice
12.
learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A successful student, under appropriate supervision, should be able to :-
A. Knowledge and Understanding
Progress basic transactions or matters in the context of the core practice areas of:
A.1 Business Law and Practice
A.2 Litigation
A.3 Property Law and Practice
A.4 Wills & Administration of Estates and Taxation
A.5 The three elective area(s) of law and practice of their choice
A.6 in relation to transactions and matters which they undertake:
(i) Use the legal knowledge, skills, procedures and behaviours appropriate to each client
and each transaction matter
(ii) Identify the client's goals and alternative means of achieving those goals, and deal
appropriately with client care
(iii) Investigate and identify the relevant facts, research and identify the relevant legal
issues, and advise the client on the legal consequences
(iv) Identify the overall nature of the transaction or matter, then plan and progress that
transaction or matter through a series of steps and decisions including, where
appropriate, drafting documentation
(v) Recognise and act within the Code of Professional Conduct
(vi) Identify the client’s reasonable expectations as to quality and timeliness of service.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Interactive large group sessions for the whole cohort will be used to discuss the relevant law and practice. Small group sessions will be used to allow students to learn through the implementation of case studies by engaging in tasks of a transactional nature similar to those that would be carried out in practice.
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Students will carry out research exercises in preparation for Small group sessions and client interviews /role plays and negotiation will be employed in contextual case studies.
Students will also undertake SILE (Student Independent Learning Exercises) which will take the form of interactive sessions using the University’s VLE.
Assessment methods
Unseen examinations both open book and closed book will be deployed to test knowledge and understanding
B. Subject-specific skills
B.1 Be familiar with the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct affecting the conduct of work likely to be
encountered by trainees
B.2 Understand the organisation, regulation and ethics of the profession and should be
familiar with the impact on practice
B.3 Be familiar with the legislation in relation to money laundering, including the international
context
B.4 Recognise circumstances encountered in the course of practice where suspicion of
money laundering should be reported in accordance with the legislation
B.5 Have a basic understanding of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules
B.6 Understand the purpose and scope of financial services regulation
B.7 Have a sufficient grasp of tax law to enable them to understand the impact of taxation on
the areas covered by the course
B 8Taking an evidence-based approach, advise on the solutions to specific legal problems.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Interactive large group sessions for the whole cohort will be used to discuss the relevant law and practice. Small group sessions will be used to allow students to learn through the implementation of case studies by engaging in tasks of a transactional nature similar to those that would be carried out in practice. Students will carry out research exercises in preparation for Small group sessions and client interviews /role plays and negotiation will be employed in contextual case studies.
Students will also undertake SILE (Student Independent Learning Exercises) which will take the form of interactive sessions using the University’s VLE.
Much of the problem solving asked of students requires them to give advice to hypothetical clients. Students therefore have to exercise the skills of preparation to give such advice and demonstrate the practical skills of advice giving.
Assessment methods
Unseen examinations both open book and closed book will be deployed to test subject specific skills.
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The pervasive element will also be given at least 5% allocation in Core Area subject assessments.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Identify information relevant to particular issues and apply to complex situations being
aware of the context and relationship to other areas of law.
C2. To problem solve and construct well-reasoned solutions.
C3. Demonstrate research skills and be able to deal with issues in a systematic way.
C4. Demonstrate concrete understanding and in the application of knowledge of legal
concepts, rules and principles related to the areas arising out of legal practice
Teaching and Learning Methods
Interactive large group sessions for the whole cohort will be used to discuss the relevant law and practice. Small group sessions will be used to allow students to learn through the implementation of case studies by engaging in tasks of a transactional nature similar to those that would be carried out in practice. Students will carry out research exercises in preparation for Small group sessions and client interviews /role plays and negotiation will be employed in contextual case studies.
Students will also undertake SILE (Student Independent Learning Exercises) which will take the form of interactive sessions using the University’s VLE.
Assessment methods
Unseen examinations both open book and closed book will be used to test knowledge and understanding.
In addition students will undertake a free standing assessment in Practical Legal Research to assess their competency .
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D 1 Demonstrate an ability to work independently, to manage time effectively and to adapt to changing needs
D 2 Be familiar with all methods of communication including oral, written and IT and be able to choose and tailor the communication form and style to suit the purpose of the communication and needs of different recipients
D 3 Be able to communicate orally and in writing and draft and amend documents in a form, style and tone appropriate for the recipients and the context
D 4 Demonstrate an ability to develop team roles, team member effectiveness and working with and leading others
D 5 Be aware of the practical, financial, commercial and personal considerations which should be taken into account, and have an awareness of work and organisational cultures
D 6 Deal appropriately with relevant professional conduct issues
D 7 Demonstrate sensitivity to issues of culture, diversity and disability in communication with clients, colleagues and others
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D 8 Evaluate the rigour and validity of information from printed sources and electronic sources
D 9 Write intelligible and persuasive prose
D 10 Develop or enhance skills including planning and co-ordinating, implementing aims and objectives, assume responsibility for decision making and have an attention to detail
Be able to use the skills in combination where appropriate.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Every stage and part of the course requires the development of these skills, through preparing responses to questions and discussion in group sessions and the production of the module assessments and coursework.
The specified Legal skills and other transferable skills enhancing employability, (professionalism, approach, cultural awareness, diversity, commercial awareness etc) form the backbone structure of the taught workshop sessions throughout the programme, with role-play exercises stimulating an insightful approach to personal development.
Interactive large group sessions for the whole cohort will be used to discuss the relevant law and practice. Small group sessions will be used to allow students to learn through the implementation of case studies by engaging in tasks of a transactional nature similar to those that would be carried out in practice. Students will carry out research exercises in preparation for Small group sessions and client interviews /role plays and negotiation will be employed in contextual case studies.
Students will also undertake SILE (Student Independent Learning Exercises) which will take the form of interactive sessions using the University’s VLE.
In addition students will engage in skills workshops for development of their skills in interviewing and advising, advocacy, writing and drafting. These skills will also be the basis for many role play exercises across the curriculum, with formative mock assessments provided in all modules.
Assessment methods
Oral skills will be assessed individually and each will be videoed for review and verification.
Written skills of drafting and writing will be assessed in the context of Wills Probate and the
Administration of Estates or other Core Subject (PLP, BLP Or Litigation), in supervised conditions.
Students must be competent in all skills.
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13. Programme Structures*
Level 7 Module Title Module
Code
Core Modules:
LA4150
LA4151 Business Law and Practice
LA4164 Solicitors’ Accounts
LA4168 Drafting
LA4167
Property Law and Practice
Taxation, Ethics & Professional
Conduct and Regulation
Credit rating
20
20
10
10
20
14. Awards and Credits*
Post Graduate Diploma
Requires 180 credits at level 7
To Pass LPC MUST pass all core elements and three electives
Where the average percentage
Mark is 70% or higher and 4
marks are over 70 a
Distinction is given
LA4165 Wills Probate and Administration
LA4153
LA4170
LA4169
LA4166
LA4157
LA4163
LA4159 of Estates (incorporating
Interviewing )
Litigation
Advocacy
Legal Writing
Practical Legal Research
Three of the following Electives :
Family Law and Practice
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Employment Law
10
30
10
10
10
10
10
10
Where the average percentage
Mark is 60% or higher and 4
marks are over 60 a
Commendation is given
To be awarded a Distinction a student must have passed every assessment without in-course reassessment or referral
A student can be awarded a
Commendation when the following criteria are met: a) the student may have failed one assessment only at first attempt.
Commendation is not available to a student who has failed two or more assessments at first attempt;
LA4161 Business Leases
LA4162 Immigration Law and Practice
LA4160 The Elderly Client
LA4161 Personal Injury and Clinical
Negligence
LA4155 Intellectual Property Law
LA4171 Insolvency
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10
10
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10 b) If the assessment allows for in course reassessment then the initial failure can have been made good by that reassessment or referral
LA4948 Pro Bono Practice
15. Personal Development Planning
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Students are allocated a personal tutor at the outset of the course. The content of the curriculum is focussed on career development in legal practice. Transferable skills are a major feature of the learning strategy and students are expected to attain a level of competency expected of a trainee in a legal practice that would be useful in many areas of employment. Students are encouraged to take up opportunities provided in our ‘pro bono’ clinical and key note speakers from different aspects of legal practice provide a series of extra curricula lectures and these give the students insight into their career development and many varied practice areas.
Personal Tutors will encourage students to reflect on Personal Development Planning (PDP) to assist them to reflect on their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their own personal educational and career development.
PDP will draw on and encourage students to reflect on their engagement with and development of the skills that are embedded in the programme.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
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been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Application for the postgraduate full-time course is made through the Law Society’s central clearing agency, the Central Applications Board (CAB).
Students must have completed the academic stage of legal training. This stage is usually completed either by graduating with a qualifying law degree or with a non-law degree and then passing [normally at the first sitting] the Common Professional Examination or gaining a Diploma in Law. Subject to the above the applications will be based on the University’s admission policy, Code of Practice and Mission Statement. In addition students must apply for registration as a student member of the Law Society to enrol on the course and where applicable have an IELTS score 7.
Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits and in the light of the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed together with evidence of a commitment to qualify as a solicitor.
IELTS score 7
17. Key sources of information about the programme
 Fact sheet

School Web site

SRA website

CAB website links

University Post graduate Prospectus
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Curriculum Skills Map
Tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level
Module
Code Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge And Understanding Subject-specific Skills
A1 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
LA4151 Business Law and Practice
LA4153 Litigation
LA4150 Property Law and Practice
LA4165 W P & A of E
LA4167
Professional Conduct &
Regulation
CORE
CORE
CORE
CORE
COMP
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LA4164 Solicitors Accounts
LA4159 Employment Law
LA4156 Commercial Property
LA4155 Intellectual Property Law
LA4171 Insolvency
COMP
O
O
LA4162 Immigration Law and Practice O
LA4160 The Elderly Client
LA4161
Personal Injury and Clinical
Negligence
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LA4157 Family Law and Practice
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LA 4170 Advocacy
LA 4168 Drafting
LA 4166 Practical Legal Research
LA 4169 Legal Writing
LA 4172 Interviewing & Advising
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Level
Module
Code Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
LA4151 Business Law and Practice CORE
LA4153 Property Law and Practice CORE
LA4150 Litigation CORE
CORE LA4165 W P & A of E
LA4167 Professional Conduct &
Regulation
LA4164 Solicitors Accounts
COMP
COMP
LA4159 Employment Law
LA4156 Commercial property
O
O
LA4162 Immigration Law and Practice O
LA4160 The Elderly Client
LA4161
Personal Injury and Clinical
Negligence
O
O
LA4155 Intellectual Property Law O
LA4171 Insolvency
LA4xxx Pro Bono Practice
LA4157 Family Law and Practice
LA4163
Commercial Dispute
Resolution
O
O
O
O
LA 4170 Advocacy
LA 4168 Drafting
LA 4166 PLR
LA 4169 Legal Writing
LA 4172 Interviewing & Advising
CORE
CORE
CORE
CORE
CORE
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Thinking Skills
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Other Skills Relevant To
Employability & Personal
Development
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D8
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